Vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seat includes a stopping structure that stops forward tilting rotation of a seatback between the seatback and a base on a floor. The stopping structure includes a stopping portion provided on one of the seatback or the base, and a stopper that is provided in a state supported in a cantilevered manner on the other of the seatback or the base, and that extends to a position overlapping with the stopping portion in a seat width direction. The stopping structure is configured to stop the forward tilting rotation of the seatback by abutment of the stopping portion and the stopper. A deformation inhibiting member that minimizes deformation in the seat width direction from the stopper abutting against the stopping portion following forward tilting rotation of the seatback, is provided on the other of the seatback or the base.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-233923 filed onOct. 23, 2012 including the specification, drawings and abstract isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle seat. More particularly, theinvention relates to a vehicle seat provided with a stopping structurethat stops forward tilting rotation of a seatback between the seatbackand a base on a floor.

2. Description of Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-52530 (JP 2010-52530A), for example, describes a vehicle seat that has a walk-in functionthat increases the space for a person to get into and out of a back seatby switching a seatback to a forward tilting position. Forward tiltingrotation of the seatback is able to be stopped by a stopping portionprovided on a side frame of the seatback abutting against a stopper pinprovided on a side frame of a seat cushion. The stopper pin is attachedto a tip end of a rotating link that is pivotally connected to the sideframe of the seat cushion. When the stopping portion abuts against thestopper pin, the stopper pin is received by another stopper link that ispivotally connected to the side frame of the seat cushion, thus stoppingforward tilting rotation of the seatback.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, with a structure in which a heavy object such as a seatback ispushed against the stopper link, as is the case with the related art,the load applied to the stopper link is large, and the stopper link iseasily pushed and bent in a seat width direction with a connectingportion where the stopper link is connected to the side frame as thefulcrum, and thus may not be able to stably stop the seatback in apredetermined position. The invention increases the strength of astopping structure that stops the seatback in a predetermined forwardtilting position.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle seat that includesa stopping structure that stops forward tilting rotation of a seatbackbetween the seatback and a base on a floor. The stopping structureincludes a stopping portion provided on one of the seatback or the base,and a stopper that is provided in a state supported in a cantileveredmanner on the other of the seatback or the base, and that extends to aposition overlapping with the stopping portion in a seat widthdirection. The stopping structure is configured to stop the forwardtilting rotation of the seatback by abutment of the stopping portion andthe stopper. Further, a deformation inhibiting member that minimizesdeformation in the seat width direction from the stopper abuttingagainst the stopping portion following forward tilting rotation of theseatback, is provided on the other of the seatback or the base.

According to this structure, the structural strength of the stopper isincreased, such that the stopping portion is able to be received in amore fixed position, by providing the deformation inhibiting member thatminimizes bending deformation in the seat width direction followingabutment of the stopper and the stopping portion.

In the aspect above, the deformation inhibiting member may be configuredto minimize deformation in the seat width direction from the stopperabutting against the stopping portion, by abutting against the stopperor the base in the seat width direction.

According to this structure, the structural strength of the stopper isable to be effectively increased by a simple structure in which thedeformation inhibiting member is provided so as to abut against thestopper or the base in the seat width direction.

In the aspect above, the stopping portion may be formed on the seatback.The stopper may be provided pivotally connected to the base and beconfigured to receive rotational movement from abutting against thestopping portion, by abutting against a stopping surface formed on thebase, as well as be configured to be placed in a state that does notstop the forward tilting rotation of the seatback, by retractingrotation of the stopper. Also, the deformation inhibiting member may beconfigured to minimize deformation in the seat width direction from thestopper abutting against the stopping portion, by abutting against thestopper in the seat width direction.

According to this structure, even if the stopper is a movable structurethat is able to be placed in a state that does not stop forward tiltingrotation of the seatback, a structure that increases the structuralstrength of the stopper is able to be obtained by a simple structure inwhich the deformation inhibiting member is provided so as to abutagainst the stopper in the seat width direction.

In the aspect above, an inclined guide surface that inhibits rotation ofthe stopper from being stopped by the stopper bumping into thedeformation inhibiting member in the rotational direction, when thestopper rotates to a position where the stopper abuts against thestopping surface, may be formed on the deformation inhibiting member.

According to this structure, by forming the guide surface on thedeformation inhibiting member, even if the deformation inhibiting memberand the stopper are provided close together in the seat width direction,rotation of the stopper is able to be inhibited from being stopped bythe stopper bumping into the deformation inhibiting member in therotational direction when the stopper rotates to the position where itabuts against the stopping surface of the base. Therefore, thedeformation inhibiting member and the stopper are brought close togetherin the seat width direction, so the structural strength of the stopperis able to be appropriately increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denotelike elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overall structure of a vehicle seataccording to one example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a walk-in operation of the vehicle seat;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a fold-down operation of the vehicle seat;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a reclining operation of the vehicle seat;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a frame structure inside the vehicleseat;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the main structure;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the main portions when a seatback is in aninitial position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the main portions when the seatback is inthe middle of a walk-in operation;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the main portions when the seatback istilted to a forward tilting position;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the main portions when the seatback hasbeen folded down to a folded down position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the main portions when the seatback is inthe middle of being raised from the folded down position;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the main portions when the seatback is inthe middle of being raised from the forward tilting position;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a stopper mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the stopper mechanism;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the stopper mechanism when the seatback is inthe initial position;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the stopper mechanism when the seatback hasbeen tilted to the forward tilting position;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the stopper mechanism when the seatback hasbeen tilted to the forward tilting position; and

FIG. 19 is a side view of the stopper mechanism when it has beenreleased from the state in which the seatback is tilted to the forwardtilting position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, example embodiments of the invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the structure of a vehicle seat 1 according to one exampleembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19. As shownin FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 1 of this example embodiment is configuredas a seat for sitting, in a second row behind a driver's seat of avehicle (an automobile) having three rows of seats. A seat main body ofthe vehicle seat 1 includes a seatback 2 that serves as a backrest for aseated occupant, a seat cushion 3 that serves as a seating portion, anda headrest 4 that serves as a headrest. The seatback 2 is such thatlower end portions on both left and right sides are each connected, viaa corresponding disc-shaped reclining device 5 that functions as arotation shaft device that can brake against rotation, to rear endportions on both left and right sides of the seat cushion 3. As aresult, the seatback 2 is connected to the seat cushion 3 in such amanner that the backrest angle in a seat front-rear direction is able tobe adjusted.

The reclining devices 5 are constantly kept in a locked state in whichthe backrest angle of the seatback 2 is fixed. The reclining devices 5are able to be unlocked at the same time so as to be switched to a statethat enables the seatback 2 to be freely rotated in the front-reardirection of the seat as shown in FIG. 2, thus enabling the backrestangle of the seatback 2 to be adjusted, by a user pulling up on a W/Ilever 1A provided on a side portion, on a vehicle outside (the sideopposite the side shown in the drawing), of the seatback 2. Thereclining devices 5 are also able to be unlocked at the same time so asto be switched to a state that enables the seatback 2 to be freelyrotated in the front-rear direction of the seat as shown in FIG. 3, thusenabling the backrest angle of the seatback 2 to be adjusted, by a userpulling up on a cushion lever 1B provided on a side portion, on avehicle outside, of the seat cushion 3.

Also, after the backrest angle of the seatback 2 has been adjusted to apredetermined angle (i.e., after the seatback 2 has been placed in apredetermined position) by the operation above, the reclining devices 5are returned to the locked state again, such that the seatback 2 isfixed at the adjusted backrest angle (i.e., in the adjusted position),by stopping the operation of pulling up on the W/I lever 1 or thecushion lever 1B. The basic structure of the reclining devices 5 is thesame well-known structure as that described in Japanese PatentApplication Publication No. 2011-116303 (JP 2011-116303 A), so adetailed description of this structure will be omitted.

The seat cushion 3 is in a state connected to the floor of the vehiclevia a pair of left and right slide devices 6. As a result, the seatcushion 3 is provided such that a located position thereof is able to beadjusted in the front-rear position of the seat with respect to thefloor. The slide devices 6 are constantly kept in a locked state inwhich the located position of the seat cushion 3 is fixed, by an urgingstructure of a spring member, not shown, provided inside each of theseslide devices 6. The slide devices 6 are unlocked at the same time bythe user pulling up on a release lever 6A that is connected to the slidedevices 6 and provided extending on a front lower portion of the seatcushion 3. This unlocking operation switches the seat cushion 3 to astate in which it is able to be freely slid in the front-rear directionof the seat, so the located position of the seat cushion 3 is able to beadjusted.

Also, after the located position of the seat cushion 3 has been adjustedto a predetermined slide position, the slide devices 6 are returned tothe slide-locked state again, such that the seat cushion 3 is fixed atthe adjusted slide position, by stopping the operation of pulling up onthe release lever 6A. The basic structure of the slide devices 6 is thesame well-known structure as that described in Japanese PatentApplication Publication No. 2010-221935 (JP 2010-221935A), so a detaileddescription of this structure will be omitted.

The headrest 4 is provided attached from above to an upper portion ofthe seatback 2. More specifically, the headrest 4 is provided fixed(i.e., mounted) to the upper portion of the seatback 2 by two rod-likestays, not shown, that protrude from a lower portion of the headrest 4being inserted from above into two cylindrical support members that arefixed onto an upper frame 2FA (see FIG. 6) of a seatback frame 2F thatforms the frame of the seatback 2. The mounting structure of theheadrest 4 is similar to that described in Japanese Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2008-239075 (JP 2008-239075 A), so a detaileddescription of this structure will be omitted.

Here, a spiral spring 7 (see FIG. 6) that constantly applies rotationalurging force to the seatback 2 in a direction toward the front side ofthe seat is hooked onto a side portion, on the vehicle outside, betweenthe seatback 2 and the seat cushion 3. As a result, when the fixed stateof the backrest angle of the seatback 2 is released, the urging force ofthe spiral spring 7 raises the seatback 2 to a position where it abutsagainst the back of the seated occupant, and the backrest angle/positionof the seatback 2 is adjusted with the seatback 2 following theforward/rearward tilting movement of the back of the seated occupant.The movable region of the seatback 2 described above is set as a regionbetween positions where a bracket 12 that is joined to a side frame 2FSon the vehicle inside of the seatback frame 2F that forms the frame ofthe seatback 2 is stopped by abutting against a forward-tilt stopper3FSd and a rearward-tilt stopper 3FSe that are each formed protruding ina horn-shape in the front and rear directions, respectively, on an upperedge portion on a rear side of a same-side side frame 3FS of a seatcushion frame 3F, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed state of the backrest angle of theseatback 2 described above is released by a person (the user) seated ina back row seat pulling up on the W/I lever 1A from behind while no oneis seated in the vehicle seat 1. Consequently, the seatback 2 tiltsforward from the urging force of the spiral spring 7 (see FIG. 6)described above, and stops when it reaches a forward tilting position,not shown. Also, with the tilting rotation of the seatback 2, theslide-lock state of the slide devices 6 is also released, so the seatcushion 3 switches to a state in which it is able to slide in thefront-rear direction of the seat.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the fixed state of the backrest angle of theseatback 2 described above is similarly released by the user pulling upon the cushion lever 1B from a position standing outside the vehiclewith a passenger door next to the vehicle seat 1 open while no one isseated in the vehicle seat 1. Consequently, the seatback 2 tilts forwardfrom the urging force of the spiral spring 7 (see FIG. 6) describedabove, and stops when it reaches a forward tilting position, not shown.Also, with the tilting rotation of the seatback 2, the slide-lock stateof the slide devices 6 is also released, so the seat cushion 3 switchesto a state in which it is able to slide' in the front-rear direction ofthe seat.

In this way, with the vehicle seat 1 of this example embodiment, awalk-in (W/I) operation in which the entire seat is able to be slidforward and retracted in a compact posture in which the seatback 2 isswitched to the forward tilted position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, isable to be performed by the slide devices 6 being released incombination with the seatback 2 being tilted forward. This walk-inoperation increases the space for a person that will be seated, or isseated, in a third row seat, which is a seat in a row behind the vehicleseat 1, to get in and out of the vehicle through a passenger door thatis next to the vehicle seat 1.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, after the seatback 2 has been tilted to theforward tilting position by the user pulling up on the cushion lever 1Bfrom a position standing outside the vehicle with the passenger door ofthe vehicle open, the seatback 2 is then folded down even fartherforward to a folded down position in which the seatback 2 is tiltedbeyond the forward tilting position and is folded down onto an uppersurface portion of the seat cushion 3 (a fold-down (F/D) operation), asshown in FIG. 4, by the user then pulling up on a F/D lever 1C providedon a front side portion, on the vehicle outside (the right side in FIG.1), of the seat cushion 3. More specifically, the seatback 2 is foldeddown far forward to a position (i.e., the folded down position) where abracket 12 that will be described later is stopped by abutting againstthe forward-tilt stopper 3FSd, as shown in FIG. 11. Also, in combinationwith this fold-down operation of the seatback 2, the released state ofthe slide lock of the slide devices 6 described above with reference toFIG. 4 is returned again to the slide-locked state, such that the slideposition of the seat cushion 3 is returned to being fixed.

In this way, in combination with the seatback 2 being folded down by theuser pulling up on the F/D lever 1C, the entire vehicle seat 1 is ableto be folded down so that is low and compact, and placed in aslide-locked state by the slide devices 6 being returned again to theslide-locked state. As a result, the back surface of the folded downseatback 2 is able to be conveniently used as a table surface to putthings on. The fold-down operation of the seatback 2 described abovewill not be performed even if the F/D lever 1C is operated when theseatback 2 is at an upright angle (in an raised and upright position) atwhich it is normally used as a backrest.

Specifically, this is because the fold-down operation of the seatback 2is performed in stages. That is, first the cushion lever 1B is operatedto tilt the seatback 2 to the forward tilting position, and then the F/Dlever 1C is operated to release the state in which the seatback 2 isstopped in this forward tilting position so that the seatback 2 foldsdown to the folded down position. In this way, the fold-down operationis performed by two operations, so the seatback 2 is able to be foldeddown more safely than it is when the seatback 2 is folded down all atonce to the folded down position by a single operation.

Next, the structure of each portion of the vehicle seat 1 will bedescribed in further detail. In the description below, the operation oftilting the seatback 2 to the forward tilting position by operating theW/I lever 1A or the cushion lever 1B will be referred to as a “walk-in(W/I) operation”, and the operation of further folding down the seatback2 to the folded down position by operating the F/D lever 1C will bereferred to as a “fold-down (F/D) operation”. First, the structure ofthe seatback 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the seatback 2 hasa seatback frame 2F that forms the internal frame of the seatback 2.This seatback frame 2F is foamed by a pair of left and right verticallylong plate-shaped side frames 2FS, an upper frame 2FA that is formed byan inverted U-shaped pipe that extends between upper end portions of theside frames 2FS, and reinforcing pipes 2FB formed by two horizontallylong pipes lined up in the height direction and extending between theside frames 2FS, that have all been assembled so as to form anintegrated frame shape. Hereinafter, whenever possible in this exampleembodiment, portions provided in plurality will be described in thesingular form to facilitate understanding.

Each of the side frames 2FS is formed by a thin plate part 2FSa made ofa thin steel sheet, and a thick plate part 2FSb made of a steel sheetthat is thicker than the thin plate part 2FSa, that are integrallyconnected together one above the other. More specifically, the thinplate part 2FSa is formed by first cutting a single thin steel sheet ina vertically long plate shape, and then bending the edge portions on thefront and rear sides into a flange shape toward the seat inside. As aresult, the thin plate part 2FSa has increased structural strength withrespect to bending and twisting by the press-bent edge portions, and isformed in a shape that has no sharp angles on the outside (the seatfront and rear sides and the seat outside).

The thick plate part 2FSb is formed by a steel sheet that is thickerthan the thin plate part 2FSa being cut in a vertically long flat plateshape. The thick plate part 2FSb is placed such that a plate surface ofan upper portion overlaps with a surface portion, on the seat inside, ofa lower portion of the thin plate part 2FSa, and the two are integrallyand strongly fixed together by welding. The thick plate parts 2FSb arejoining portions that join together with the reclining devices 5 whenthe seatback frame 2F is connected to the seat cushion frame 3F, and areportions that receive a high load when in use, so the thickness is madethicker than that of the thin plate parts 2FSa, and as a result, thestructural strength is increased. The side frames 2FS that are formed bythe thin plate parts 2FSa and the thick plate parts 2FSb form the frameof both the left and right sides of the seatback 2, and are arrangedwith the plate surfaces facing each other in the seat width direction,on both sides of the seatback 2.

The upper frame 2FA is fowled by first cutting a single circular steelpipe to a predetermined length, and then bending this pipe into avertically inverted (upside down) U-shape. Both inverted U-shaped legportions of the upper frame 2FA are integrally and strongly joined tothe upper end portions of these thin plate parts 2FSa by being placedagainst and welded to the upper end portions of the thin plate parts2FSa of the side frames 2FS. Here, the upper end portions of the thinplate parts 2FSa of the side frames 2FS are formed bent in semicircularcylindrical shapes that match the shapes of the outer peripheralsurfaces of the leg portions of the upper frame 2FA. As a result, theleg portions of the upper frame 2FA are placed in a state of widesurface contact with the upper end portions that are bent in thesemicircular cylindrical shape of the thin plate parts 2FSa, and thenintegrally and strongly welded (i.e., joined) over a wide area.

Each reinforcing pipe 2FB is provided by first cutting a single circularsteel pipe to a predetermined length, then inserting it through andextending between the side frames 2FS in the seat width direction, andintegrally and strongly joining the inserted end portions by welding tothe side frames 2FS. More specifically, the reinforcing pipe 2FB on theupper side is inserted through and extending between the thin plateparts 2FSa of the side frames 2FS in the seat width direction, and theinserted end portions are integrally and strongly joined to the thinplate parts 2FSa by welding. Also, the reinforcing pipe 2FB on the lowerside is inserted in the seat width direction through and extendingbetween overlapping portions where the thin plate part 2FSa and thethick plate part 2FSb of each side frame 2FS overlap in the seat widthdirection, and the inserted end portions are integrally and stronglyjoined to the overlapping thin plate parts 2FSa and the thick plateparts 2FSb by welding. As a result, the thin plate part 2FSa and thethick plate part 2FSb of each side frame 2FS are integrally and stronglyjoined together via the reinforcing pipe 2FB on the lower side that isinserted through and extends between the overlapping portions.

With the seat cushion 3, a seat cushion frame 3F that forms the internalframe of the seat cushion 3 is formed by a pair of left and rightplate-shaped side frames 3FS that are long in the front-rear direction,a horizontally long pipe-shaped front frame 3FF that extends betweenfront end portions of the side frames 3FS, and a horizontally longpipe-shaped rear frame 3FR that extends between rear end portions ofboth side frames 3FS, that have all been assembled so as to faun anintegrated frame shape.

Each side frame 3FS is formed by a thin plate part 3FSa made of thinsteel plate, and a thick plate part 3FSb made of steel plate that isthicker than the thin plate part 3FSa, that are integrally connectedtogether. More specifically, each thin plate part 3FSa is formed byfirst cutting a single thick steel sheet in a shape that is long in thefront-rear direction, and then bending the edge portions on the frontand rear sides into a flange shape toward the seat inside. Further, areinforcing plate 3FSc that closes the sectional shape that is open in aU-shape to make it a closed box-shape extends between the edge portionson the upper and lower sides of the portions that are bent toward theseat inside, is integrally welded, and thus joined, to the thin platepart 3FSa. As a result, the thin plate part 3FSa has increasedstructural strength with respect to bending and twisting, and is formedin a shape that has no sharp angles on the outside (the seat upper andlower sides and the seat outside).

The thick plate part 3FSb is formed by a steel sheet that is thickerthan the thin plate part 3FSa being cut in a vertically long plateshape. The thick plate part 3FSb is placed such that a plate surface ofa lower portion overlaps with a surface portion, on the seat outside, ofan upper portion on a rear end side of the thin plate part 3FSa, and thetwo are integrally and strongly fixed together by welding. The thickplate parts 3FSb are joining portions that are joined together with thereclining devices 5 when the seat cushion 3 is connected to the seatbackframe 2F, and are portions that receive a high load when in use, so thethickness is made thicker than that of the thin plate parts 3FSa, and asa result, the structural strength is increased.

The side frames 3FS that are formed by the thin plate parts 3FSa and thethick plate parts 3FSb form the frame of both the left and right sidesof the seat cushion 3, and are arranged with the plate surfaces facingeach other in the seat width direction, on both sides of the seatcushion 3. More specifically, the thin plate parts 3FSa of the sideframes 3FS that are long in the seat front-rear direction are fixedarranged on the upper surface portion of the pair of left and rightslide devices 6 that are provided on the floor as described above.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the forward-tilt stopper 3FSd and therearward-tilt stopper 3FSe that each protrude in a horn-shape areprovided on front and rear portions, respectively, of the upper edgeportion of the thick plate part 3FSb of the side frame 3FS, on thevehicle inside, of the seat cushion 3. Also, the bracket 12 that isformed by a thick steel plate that abuts against and engages with theforward-tilt stopper 3FSd and the rearward-tilt stopper 3FSe is providedjoined to the outside surface of the thick plate part 2FSb of thesame-side side frame 2FS of the seatback 2. In this way, theforward-tilt stopper 3FSd, the rearward-tilt stopper 3FSe, and thebracket 12 that form the stopping structure when the seatback 2 istilted in the front-rear direction are each provided on the thick platepart 2FSb of the seatback 2 and the thick plate part 3FSb of the seatcushion 3 that have high structural strength, so tilting rotation of aheavy object such as the seatback 2 is able to be stopped with highstopping force.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the spiral spring 7 that applies rotationalurging force to the seatback 2 in a direction toward the front side ofthe seat is hooked between the side frame 2FS on the vehicle outside(the left side when looking at the drawing) of the seatback 2 and theside frame 3FS on the vehicle outside of the seat cushion 3. Morespecifically, the spiral spring 7 is fixed with an inside end portionthereof hooked onto a catch portion 7A1 that extends toward the seatupper side of a spring catch plate 7A that is joined to an insidesurface of the thick plate part 3FSb of the side frame 3FS of the seatcushion 3, and an outside end portion of the spiral spring 7 hooked ontoa spring catch recessed portion 7B1 formed in a recessed shape on a rearedge portion of a spring catch plate 7B that is joined to the insidesurface of the thick plate part 2FSb of the side frame 2FS of theseatback 2. The spring catch plate 7B is formed by the structure of thesame part as the bracket 12 that will be described later. In this way,the spiral spring 7 is hooked between the thick plate part 2FSb of theseatback 2 and the thick plate part 3FSb of the seat cushion 3 that havehigh structural strength, so the spiral spring 7 that is set to a strongrotational urging force capable of raising a heavy object such as theseatback 2 is provided firmly hooked between the seatback 2 and the seatcushion 3.

Also, the thick plate part 3FSb of the side frame 3FS on the vehicleoutside of the seat cushion 3 is formed in a stepped shape with a middleportion thereof being an offset portion 3FSf and a lower portion beingbent inward in a crank shape toward the seat inside with respect to theupper portion. Forming the thick plate part 3FSb in a stepped shape setin toward the seat inside in this way allows for more legroom when aperson that will be seated, or is seated, in a seat in the third rowgets in or out through a passenger door, not shown, next to the vehicleseat 1 that is in the second row.

The front frame 3FF is formed by a single circular steel pipe that hasbeen cut to a predetermined length, placed extending in the seat widthdirection between upper portions on the front end side of the thin plateparts 3FSa of the side frames 3FS, and then integrally welded and fixedin place. The rear frame 3FR is formed by single circular steel pipe,that has been cut to a predetermined length, being inserted through andextending between the thick plate parts 3FSb of the side frames 3FS inthe seat width direction. The inserted end portions are then welded tothe side frames 3FS, so as to be integrally and strongly joined to thethick plate parts 3FSb of the side frames 3FS.

Next, the structure of a detection mechanism 10 that picks up movementwhen a walk-in operation is performed on the seatback 2, and anoperating mechanism 20 for releasing the slide-lock state of the slidedevices 6 according to an operation movement amount detected by thedetection mechanism 10, will be described. The detection mechanism 10and the operating mechanism 20 are provided on a side surface portion onthe outside of the side frame 3FS on the vehicle inside of the seatcushion 3, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The detection mechanism 10includes an operating link 11 that is pivotally connected to the sideframe 3FS of the seat cushion 3, the bracket 12 that is fixed to theside frame 2FS of the seatback 2, and a tension spring 13 hooked betweenthe bracket 12 and the operating link 11.

The operating link 11 is assembled in a state pivotally connected to anoperating shaft 5A that is inserted through a center portion of thereclining device 5 described above, as shown in FIG. 7. Morespecifically, the operating link 11 is assembled in a state pivotallyconnected to the operating shaft 5A, by the operating shaft 5A beinginserted through the center portion of the operating link 11, and theinserted tip end portion of the operating shaft 5A then retained so asnot to slip out in the axial direction by an E-ring 5D. The operatinglink 11 is provided so as to be able to rotate smoothly, whilepositioned in the axial direction with respect to the operating shaft5A, by being sandwiched from both sides, so as not to be in much planarcontact in the axial direction, by the E-ring 5D, and a plate bracket 5Chaving a shape in which the center portion bulges out in a mountainshape, that is provided integrally joined to the side frame 3FS of theseat cushion 3.

More specifically, the operating shaft 5A is assembled in a stateinserted from the seat inside through the side frame 2FS of the seatback2, and then inserted through the center portion of the reclining device5, the side frame 3FS of the seat cushion 3, the plate bracket 5C thatis integrally joined to the side frame 3FS, and the operating link 11,in the axial direction in this order. Then the E-ring 5D is attached tothe inserted tip end portion to keep the operating shaft 5A fromslipping out in the axial direction. The operating shaft 5A isconstantly held in a fixed position by the retaining force with whichthe reclining device 5 is kept in a locked state by the urging force ofa spring, not shown.

The operating shaft 5A rotates against the spring urging force, therebyunlocking the reclining device 5, by an operating arm 5B that isintegrally joined to an end portion on the head side (the seat inside)of the operating shaft 5A being rotated via a release cable, not shown,in response to operation of the W/I lever 1A or the cushion lever 1B. Asshown in FIG. 16, an operating structure formed by the operating shaft5A and the operating min 5B that are rotated in response to operation ofthe W/I lever 1A or the cushion lever 1B is also arranged on thereclining device 5 on the vehicle outside. A release cable 5E that ispulled in response to operation of the W/I lever 1A or the cushion lever1B is connected to the operating arm 5B. The operating arm 5B rotatesagainst the spring urging force, and consequently unlocks the recliningdevice 5, by being rotated via the release cable 5E in response tooperation of these levers 1A and 1B. According to this structure, thelocked states of the reclining devices 5 on both sides are able to bereleased at the same time in synchronization on the left and right, bythe W/I lever 1A or the cushion lever 1B being operated.

As shown in FIG. 8, the operating link 11 has a kick portion 11A thatextends toward the seat upper side from the center portion that ispivotally connected by the operating shaft 5A. This kick portion 11Apasses through the inside the recessed portion 12A of the bracket 12that will be described later, and is sandwiched from the front and rearby the bracket 12. As a result, when the seatback 2 is tilted forward,the operating link 11 is consequently forcibly rotated counterclockwisein the drawing, with the kick portion 11A that will be described laterbeing pushed and kicked from the rear by a rear portion 12C of thebracket 12, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Also, when the seatback 2 israised (i.e., pushed back) after being tilted forward, the operatinglink 11 is consequently forcibly rotated clockwise in the drawing, withthe kick portion 11 A that will be described later being pushed andkicked from the front by a front portion 12B of the bracket 12, as shownin FIG. 13.

The bracket 12 is formed bent in an L-shaped plate shape, and a plateportion that is bent such that the surface extends in the heightdirection is provided integrally fastened and fixed to the outsidesurface of the thick plate part 2FSb of the side frame 2FS of theseatback 2, as shown in FIG. 7. In this bracket 12, the recessed portion12A that is cut in a cylindrical shape is formed on a tip edge portionthat extends bent toward the seat outside from a joining portion wherethe bracket 12 joins the side frame 2FS of the seatback 2. The kickportion 11A of the operating link 11 is set inserted from the seatoutside into this recessed portion 12A. Thus, the kick portion 11A ofthe operating link 11 that is set in the recessed portion 12A issandwiched from the front and rear by the front portion 12B and the rearportion 12C that sandwich the recessed portion 12A of the bracket 12.

The tension spring 13 is hooked between a push portion 11B that extendsout in fan-like shape forward and downward with respect to the seat fromthe center portion of the operating link 11, and a front portion 12B ofthe bracket 12. The tension spring 13 is configured to apply rotationalurging force to the operating link 11 in a clockwise direction in thedrawing. This spring urging force of the tension spring 13 constantlykeeps the kick portion 11 A of the operating link 11 pushed against arear portion 12C of the bracket 12, thereby suppressing backlash in therotational direction between the operating link 11 and the bracket 12.

Here, the bracket 12 has a spring catch recessed portion 12D that is cutin a cylindrical shape formed on each edge portion on the front and rearsides of a plate portion of the bracket 12 that extends on the seatoutside. Further, an extended recessed portion 12E is formed at cornerportions on the seat outside of these spring catch recessed portions12D, in a manner further extending a void shape of these corner portionsin a round hole shape. A front-side portion of each extended recessedportion 12E functions as a catch portion for hooking the upper endportion of the tension spring 13 onto the front portion 12B of thebracket 12. A rear-side portion of each extended recessed portion 12E isnot used in this example embodiment, but it is formed in advance toenable the versatile use of the same part when the bracket 12 is usedfacing the opposite direction in the front-rear direction. Also, thespring catch recessed portions 12D are also not used in this exampleembodiment. The rear-side portion of these spring catch recessedportions 12D, of the spring catch plate 7B formed by the same part asthe bracket 12, functions as a portion (i.e., the spring catch recessedportion 7B1) for hooking the outside end portion of the spiral spring 7onto, as shown in FIG. 6.

Next, the operating mechanism 20 will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. The operating mechanism 20 includes an output link 21, anintermediate link 22, a retaining spring 23, a pressing spring 24, afixing plate 25, and a cable 26. The output link 21 is provided in astate pivotally connected to an outside surface of the thick plate part3FSb of the side frame 3FS of the seat cushion 3 by a spindle 21A, asshown in FIG. 8. More specifically, the output link 21 is provided in astate pivotally connected by the spindle 21A to the fixing plate 25 thatis integrally joined to the thick plate part 3FSb. The fixing plate 25is provided in a state integrally and strongly joined by welding to theoutside surface of the thick plate part 3FSb.

A retaining spring 23 (a torsion spring) is hooked between the outputlink 21 and a stopping piece 25A that is partially cut out and bent upfrom a portion of the fixing plate 25, such that the output link 21 isconstantly kept rotatably urged in the counterclockwise direction in thedrawing, with a stopping arm 21B that extends toward the right in thedrawing from the center portion of the output link 21 kept pushedagainst and engaged with the stopping piece 25A of the fixing plate 25,by the urging force of this retaining spring 23. A wound portion of thecenter portion of the retaining spring 23 is wound around the spindle21A. One end on the right side in the drawing is hooked onto thestopping piece 25A, and the other end on the left side is fixed by beinghooked onto an operating arm 21 C that extends toward the left in thedrawing from the center portion of the output link 21.

The intermediate link 22 is formed curved in a C-shape. A lower endportion of the intermediate link 22 in the drawing is provided pivotallyconnected to the output link 21 by a connecting shaft 22A. Morespecifically, the connecting shaft 22A is integrally joined to theintermediate link 22, and is pivotally connected to the stopping arm 21Bof the output link 21. The pressing spring 24 (a torsion spring) ishooked between the intermediate link 22 and the output link 21, suchthat the intermediate link 22 is constantly kept in a state rotatablyurged in the clockwise direction in the drawing, with an arm shape ofthe intermediate link 22 that is curved in a C-shape kept in a rotatedposition in which it is pushed against and engaged with the spindle 21Aof the output link 21, by the urging force of this pressing spring 24.The inside end portion of the pressing spring 24 is fixed by beinghooked onto a head portion of the connecting shaft 22A that isintegrated with the intermediate link 22. The outside end portion of thepressing spring 24 is fixed by being hooked onto a bent stopping piece21B1 at a tip end portion of the stopping arm 21B of the output link 21.

When the seatback 2 is at an angle/position in which it is used as abackrest, as shown in FIG. 8, a kick pin 22B that is joined to an upperend portion of the intermediate link 22 is kept in an initial positionin which it is separated to the rear from the push portion 11B of theoperating link 11. However, as shown in FIG. 9, when a walk-in operationstarts to be performed on the seatback 2 and the kick portion 11A of theoperating link 11 is pushed around to the front side by the rear portion12C of the bracket 12, the push portion 11B of the operating link 11abuts against the kick pin 22B of the intermediate link 22. As a result,as shown in FIG. 10, the intermediate link 22 is pushed around in thedirection in which it is pushed against the spindle 21A, and rotates,together with the output link 21 that is connected via the connectingshaft 22A, in the clockwise direction in the drawing around the spindle21A. When the output link 21 rotates in this way, the cable 26 that isconnected to the tip of the operating arm 21C of the output link 21 isconsequently pulled, thereby releasing the slide-lock state of the slidedevice 6.

The cable 26 has a double layered cable structure in which a linear wiremember is inserted through the inside of a flexible tubular member. Theupper end portion of the tubular member of the cable 26 that is shown isfixed by being hooked onto a cable catch piece 25B that is partially cutout and bent up from the fixing plate 25. The upper end portion of thewire member that runs out from the upper end portion of this tubularmember is fixed by being hooked onto a tip end portion of the operatingarm 21C of the output link 21, which extends to the left in the drawing.Also, the other end portion of the cable 26, not shown, is connected tothe release lever 6A that releases the slide-lock state of the slidedevice 6 in the FIG. 6. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when theintermediate link 22 and the output link 21 rotate together in theclockwise direction in the drawing in response to a walk-in operation ofthe seatback 2, the cable 26 is pulled upward in the drawing by theoutput link 21, thereby operating the release lever 6A that is connectedto the other end portion of the cable 26 (see FIG. 6) and releasing theslide-lock state of the slide device 6.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the seatback 2 is tilted to the forwardtilting position and stopped there, the cable 26 is kept in a pulledstate by the kick pin 22B of the intermediate link 22 being kept in astate in which it is riding up on the outer peripheral surface 11B1 ofthe push portion 11B of the operating link 11. As a result, the slidedevice 6 (see FIG. 6) is kept in a state in which the slide lock isreleased.

When the seatback 2 is tilted to the forward tilting position andstopped there, pressing force radially inward toward the center portionof the operating link 11 is applied toward the outer peripheral surface11B1 of the push portion 11B of the operating link 11 from the kick pin22B of the intermediate link 22 by the spring force action of theretaining spring 23 and the pressing spring 24, as well as the springforce action of a spring member that is not shown that is providedinside the slide device 6 (FIG. 6) and urges it in the slide-lockdirection. Therefore, when a walk-in operation of the seatback 2 isperformed, the operating link 11 is forcibly pushed around toward thefront side by the rear portion 12C of the bracket 12 that is integrallyjoined to the side frame 2FS of the seatback 2, so the operating link 11is able to smoothly push the kick pin 22B around, which is good.However, when an attempt is made to return the tilted seatback 2 fromthe state in which the kick pin 22B is riding on the outer peripheralsurface 11B1 of the push portion 11B of the operating link 11, theoperating link 11 may not easily return to its original position due toresistance from the pressing force in the radially inward direction fromthe kick pin 22B.

However, as shown in FIG. 13, when the seatback 2 is raised toward therear from the forward tilting position as well, the operating link 11 isforcibly pushed back by the front portion 12B of the bracket 12 from theraising of the seatback 2. Therefore, the operating link 11 is able tobe smoothly returned to its original rotational position together withthe seatback 2, even when it receives resistance from the pressing forceof the kick pin 22B.

When the seatback 2 is tilted farther forward (i.e., folded down) fromthe forward-tilting position (the position shown in FIG. 10) of thewalk-in operation by a fold-down operation, the kick pin 22B of theintermediate link 22 rides forward off of (i.e., past) the outerperipheral surface 11B1 of the push portion 11B of the operating link 11following this movement, and separates from the push portion 11B (i.e.,disengages from the push portion 11B), as shown in FIG. 11. Accordingly,the intermediate link 22 and the output link 21 that had been pushedaround together with the intermediate link 22 return to their initialpositions before being rotated, such that the cable 26 is no longerbeing pulled on. As a result, the slide device 6 (see FIG. 6) againreturns to the slide-locked state.

If the kick pin 22B of the intermediate link 22 ends up riding forwardoff of (i.e., past) the push portion 11B of the operating link 11 inthis way, the front-rear positional relationship of the two ends upreversing, and when the seatback 2 is raised, the push portion 11B ofthe operating link 11 will end up pushing the kick pin 22B of theintermediate link 22 from the direction opposite that described above(i.e., from the rear). However, in this case, as shown in FIG. 12, theintermediate link 22 is pushed around in the counterclockwise directionin the drawing independently with respect to the output link 21, withthe connecting shaft 22A as the fulcrum, against the urging force of thepressing spring 24, so the movement described above is relieved by theintermediate link 22 rotating idly. This relieving operation ensuresthat the operation of raising the seatback 2 to the rear from the foldeddown position will not be impeded. When the seatback 2 is raised fromthe folded down position, the kick pin 22B of the intermediate link 22rides rearward off of (i.e., past) the outer peripheral surface 11B1 ofthe push portion 11B of the operating link 11, and separates from thepush portion 11B (i.e., disengages from the push portion 11B). As aresult, the intermediate link 22 returns to its original position beforerotating idly, as shown in FIG. 8.

As described above, when the seatback 2 is returned to the raisedangle/position from the folded down position as well, the operating link11 is forcibly pushed around by the front portion 12B of the bracket 12from the raising of the seatback 2. Therefore, the operating link 11 isable to be smoothly pushed back to a predetermined raised rotationalposition by rotating together with the seatback 2, even when it receivesresistance when pushing the kick pin 22B of the intermediate link 22from the rear.

Continuing on, the structure of a stopper mechanism 30 that stopsforward-tilting rotation of the seatback 2 at the forward tiltingposition when the walk-in operation is performed on the seatback 2,illustrated in FIG. 10, will be described. The stopper mechanism 30 isprovided on a side surface portion on the inside of the side frame 3FSon the vehicle inside of the seat cushion 3, as shown in FIG. 6. Here,the seat cushion 3 (i.e., the side frame 3FS) is one example of the“base” of the invention. The stopper mechanism 30 is a structure thatstops the tilting rotation of the seatback 2 at the forward tiltingposition by abutting a stopping portion 2FSc (which is one example ofthe “stopping portion” of the invention) formed protruding in ahorn-shape on a front lower edge portion of the thick plate part 2FSb ofthe side frame 2FS of the seatback 2 against a receiving pin 32A thatwill be described later, when the seatback 2 is tilted (rotated) forwardby an operation of the W/I lever 1A or the cushion lever 1B, as shown inFIG. 10. Also, when the user operates the F/D lever 1C, the stoppermechanism 30 consequently retracts the receiving pin 32A downward, whichreleases the stopped state of the seatback 2 from the forward tiltingposition, thus enabling the seatback 2 to be folded down far forward tothe folded down position, as shown in FIG. 11.

Hereinafter, the specific structure of the stopper mechanism 30 will bedescribed in detail. As shown in FIG. 14, the stopper mechanism 30includes a base plate 31, a receiving link 32, an operating link 33, astopper link 34, a retainer plate 35, a first rotating shaft 36A, asecond rotating shaft 37A, a first urging spring 36B, a second urgingspring 37B, and a release cable 38. Here, the structure formed by thereceiving link 32 and the stopper link 34 is one example of the“stopper” of the invention. The base plate 31 is fixed by beingintegrally fastened to a side surface portion on the inside of the sideframe 3FS on the vehicle inside of the seat cushion 3 by two fasteningpins 31A. A spring catch portion 31B, and a stopping piece 31D and acable catch portion 31E, that are formed bend in the plate thicknessdirection, are formed on upper and lower edge portions, respectively, ofthe base plate 31 in the drawing. Here, the stopping piece 31D is oneexample of the “deformation inhibiting member” of the invention.

The spring catch portion 31B is a portion formed to be hooked onto byone end of the second urging spring 37B (a torsion spring). Also, thecable catch portion 31E is a portion formed to be hooked onto by an endportion of an outer tubular member of the release cable 38 that has adouble layered cable structure and that is connected to the F/D lever1C. The stopping piece 31D is formed having a stopping surface 31D1 thatstops rotation of the stopper link 34 by abutting against a leg portion34B of the stopper link 34 that will be described later in the directionof rotation, a deformation inhibiting surface 31D2 that is placedagainst the leg portion 34B of the stopper link 34 in the axialdirection (i.e., the seat width direction) and inhibits deformingmovement in the axial direction of the stopper link 34 when the legportion 34B abuts against the stopping surface 31D1, and a groove 31D3that is formed recessed at a corner portion of the stopping surface 31D1and the deformation inhibiting surface 31D2. The groove 31D3 is formedrecessed from the corner portion at the boundary between the stoppingsurface 31D1 and the deformation inhibiting surface 31D2, such that theleg portion 34B of the stopper link 34 that will be described later isable to surface-abut with both the stopping surface 31D1 and thedeformation inhibiting surface 31D2 at the same time.

Also, a guide surface 31D2 a having an inclined surface shape thatserves to relieve interference with the leg portion 34B of the stopperlink 34 in the axial direction so that the leg portion 34B of thestopper link 34 will not bump into anywhere other than the stoppingsurface 31D1 in the rotational direction when the leg portion 34B of thestopper link 34 rotates to the position where it abuts against thestopping surface 31D1, is formed on the stopping piece 31D. This guidesurface 31D2 a is formed so as to chamfer, at an angle, an edge portion(a corner portion) of a tip end side (seat front side) of the stoppingpiece 31D that the leg portion 34B of the stopper link 34 first passesby when the leg portion 34B of the stopper link 34 rotates toward thestopping surface 31D1, and is formed as an inclined surface thatconnects the edge portion surface on the tip end side of the stoppingpiece 31D with the deformation inhibiting surface 31D2 at an angle, asshown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

By setting the guide surface 31D2 a, when the leg portion 34B of thestopper link 34 rotates in the direction in which it abuts against thestopping surface 31D1, even if the position where the leg portion 34B ofthe stopper link 34 bumps into the edge portion on the tip end side ofthe stopping piece 31D in the rotational direction changes due tovariation in the assembly position in the axial direction (the seatwidth direction) between the stopper link 34 and the stopping piece 31D,the leg portion 34B of the stopper link 34 will abut against the guidesurface 31D2 a, and be guided to move in the axial direction toward theside where the deformation inhibiting surface 31D2 is formed, so as toride along the deformation inhibiting surface 31D2 and bump into thestopping surface 31D1 in the rotational direction. Therefore, because ofthe guide surface 31D2 a, even if the stopper link 34 and the stoppingpiece 31D are provided close together in the axial direction, thedeformation inhibiting surface 31D2 is able to be placed next to the legportion 34B of the stopper link 34, while the leg portion 34B of thestopper link 34 appropriately abuts against the stopping surface 31D1.

As shown in FIG. 14, the receiving link 32 is formed by a pair of linkmembers that are lined up in the axial direction. A round bar-shapedreceiving pin 32A extends between the tip end portions of the linkmembers and is integrally joined thereto. An end portion on the baseside of each link member is provided rotatably shaft-connected to thebase plate 31 by a first rotating shaft 36A. As a result, the receivinglink 32 is provided so as to be able to move the receiving pin 32A thatis attached to the tip end portion thereof upward, as well as retractthe receiving pin 32A downward, by rotating with respect to the baseplate 31. A recessed spring catch groove 32B onto which one end of afirst urging spring 36B (a torsion spring) that will be described lateris hooked is formed on a side portion of a link member on one side ofthe receiving link 32.

The operating link 33 is formed by a flat plate-shaped member. Ahorizontally long recessed portion 33A and a vertically long long hole33B are formed in a plate portion of this operating link 33. Inaddition, a spring catch portion 33C that is bent in the direction ofplate thickness is formed on an edge portion, on the right side in thedrawing, of the operating link 33. This operating link 33 isshaft-connected in a state able to rotate, together with the receivinglink 32, coaxially around the base plate 31. By this connection, theoperating link 33 and the receiving link 32 are provided so as to bothbe able to relatively rotate individually with respect to the base plate31. The spring catch portion 33C is a portion formed to hook the otherend of the first urging spring 36B (a tension spring) onto.

The stopper link 34 is formed by a steel plate member that is thickerthan the link members of the receiving link 32. This stopper link 34 isformed in an L-shaped link shape having a receiving surface 34A thatreceives the rotation of the receiving link 32 by abutting against thereceiving pin 32A, and a leg portion 34B that is restricted fromrotatably moving in the retracting direction (i.e., downward) byabutting against the stopping surface 31D1 formed on the base plate 31.The stopper link 34 is provided with a middle portion of the L-shapethereof rotatably shaft-connected to the base plate 31 by the secondrotating shaft 37A. As a result, the stopper link 34 is provided suchthat the leg portion 34B abuts against the stopping surface 31D1 of thebase plate 31, thus placing the receiving surface 34A in a state facingupward abutting against the receiving pin 32A of the receiving link 32,or placing the receiving surface 34A in a state retracted downward notabutting against the receiving pin 32A, depending on the rotationalmovement of the stopper link 34 with respect to the base plate 31.

A recessed spring catch groove 34C that one end of the second urgingspring 37B (a torsion spring) that will be described later hooks onto isprovided on a side portion of the leg portion 34B of the stopper link34. Also, a protruding portion 34D that protrudes in a round pin shapethat is assembled in the horizontally long recessed portion 33A formedin the operating link 33, is formed pushed out in the direction of platethickness by half blanking on the plate portion of the stopper link 34.The stopper link 34 is assembled in a state engaged in the horizontallylong recessed portion 33A formed in the operating link 33. As a result,the operating link 33 rotatably operates the receiving surface 34A in adirection in which the receiving surface 34A retracts downward, inconjunction with movement in which the operating link 33 is rotatablyoperated by being pulled by the release cable 38, as will be describedlater with reference to FIG. 19.

The retainer plate 35 is provided extending between the first rotatingshaft 36A and the second rotating shaft 37A, and integrally joined tothese. This retainer plate 35 suppresses strong inter-shaft repulsionforce from being applied between the first rotating shaft 36A and thesecond rotating shaft 37A when the load of the seatback 2 is applied tothe stopper mechanism 30. The retainer plate 35 also prevents the partsassembled between it and the base plate 31 from slipping off in theaxial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the first rotating shaft 36A is formed in astepped shape, with one end on the left side in FIG. 14 integrallyjoined to the base plate 31, and the other end on the right side in FIG.14 integrally joined to the retainer plate 35. As a result, the firstrotating shaft 36A is assembled in a state in which the operating link33, the ring member on one side of the receiving link 32, and the linkmember on the other side of the receiving link 32 are positioned in theaxial direction, with the operating link 33 and the ring member on oneside of the receiving link 32 being sandwiched in a rotatable statebetween the bulge-shaped portion in the center in the axial direction ofthe first rotating shaft 36A and the base plate 31, and with the linkmember on the other side of the receiving link 32 being sandwiched in arotatable state between the portion of the first rotating shaft 36Abulge-shaped center and the retainer plate 35.

The second rotating shaft 37A is also formed in a stepped shape, withone end on the left side in the drawing integrally joined to the baseplate 31, and the other end on the right side in the drawing integrallyjoined to the retainer plate 35. As a result, the second rotating shaft37A is assembled in a state in which the stopper link 34 is positionedin the axial direction, with the stopper link 34 being sandwiched in arotatable state between the bulge-shaped portion in the center in theaxial direction of the second rotating shaft 37A and the retainer plate35.

As shown in FIG. 14, the first urging spring 36B (a torsion spring) isarranged with the wound portion in the center thereof being wound aroundthe first rotating shaft 36A, one end being hooked onto the spring catchgroove 32B formed in the receiving link 32, and the other end beinghooked onto the spring catch portion 33C foamed in the operating link33. As a result, the first urging spring 36B is provided so as toconstantly rotatably urge the receiving link 32 in the counterclockwisedirection in the drawing, i.e., in a direction that retractably movesthe receiving pin 32A downward (in a direction that pushes the receivingpin 32A against the receiving surface 34A of the stopper link 34), withrespect to the operating link 33, as shown in FIG. 16.

The second urging spring 37B (a torsion spring) is arranged with thewound portion in the center thereof being wound around the secondrotating shaft 37A, one end being hooked onto the spring catch portion31B formed on the base plate 31, and the other end being hooked onto thespring catch groove 34C formed in the stopper link 34, as shown in FIG.14. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, the second urging spring 37B isprovided constantly rotatably urging the stopper link 34 in thecounterclockwise direction in the drawing with respect to the base plate31, and pushes the leg portion 34B of the stopper link 34 against thestopping surface 31D1 formed on the base plate 31, thus engaging the legportion 34B of the stopper link 34 with the stopping surface 31D1 formedon the base plate 31. The second urging spring 37B is formed in athicker, larger line shape than the first urging spring 36B, and is ableto display stronger spring force.

Therefore, the stopper link 34 is constantly maintained in a statereceiving the receiving pin 32A of the receiving link 32 by thereceiving surface 34A that faces upward angled toward the front, withthe leg portion 34B of the stopper link 34 being pushed against thestopping surface 31D1 of the base plate 31 by the urging force of thesecond urging spring 37B. Also, when the release cable 38 that will bedescribed later is operated, the stopper link 34 is rotatably operatedin a direction that pushes the receiving surface 34A downward againstthe urging force of the second urging spring 37B, as shown in FIG. 19,so even after the receiving pin 32A of the receiving link 32 thatreceives the urging force of the first urging spring 36B is pushedagainst the upper surface of the stopper link 34, the urging force ofthe second urging spring 37B that displays a stronger urging force thanthe first urging spring 36B causes the stopper link 34 to rotate in amanner that pushes the receiving pin 32A back upward. As a result, thestopper link 34 returns to its initial position (i.e., the position inwhich the leg portion 34B abuts against the stopping surface 31D1 of thebase plate 31) in which the receiving surface 34A faces upward angledtoward the front, as shown in FIG. 16.

Also, while the stopper link 34 is held in the initial position by theurging force of the second urging spring 37B, the receiving pin 32A ofthe receiving link 32 that receives the urging force of the first urgingspring 36B is pushed against the receiving surface 34A of the stopperlink 34. At this time, the receiving surface 34A is formed in a shapecurved in an arc centered around the second rotating shaft 37A that isthe rotational center of the stopper link 34. While the stopper link 34is held in the initial position described above, pressing force receivedfrom the receiving pin 32A of the receiving link 32 is transmitteddirectly toward the second rotating shaft 37A, such that the receivingsurface 34A firmly receives the load received from the receiving pin 32Aat a fixed position, without receiving a load that would move it in therotational direction.

As shown in FIG. 14, the release cable 38 is a double layered cablestructure in which a linear wire member is inserted through the insideof a flexible tubular member. With the release cable 38, an upper endportion of the tubular member in the drawing is fixed by being hookedonto the cable catch portion 31E formed on the base plate 31. The upperend portion of the wire member that runs out from the upper end portionof this tubular member is hooked in a slidable state inside the longhole 33B of the operating link 33. Also, the other end portion of therelease cable 38 on the side not shown in the drawing is connected tothe F/D lever 1C illustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19,when the F/D lever 1C is operated, the release cable 38 is consequentlypulled on in a manner in which the upper end portion of the wire memberthat is shown is drawn into the tubular member. As a result, theoperating link 33, rotates counterclockwise in the drawing around thefirst rotating shaft 36A. This rotation of the operating link 33 causesthe stopper link 34, in which the protruding portion 34D is engaged inthe recessed portion 33A of the operating link 33 to then rotate in theclockwise direction in the drawing around the second rotating shaft 37A,and thus retract.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the seatback 2 is at an upright angle/positionin which it is normally used as a backrest, the stopper mechanism 30having this structure is maintained in a state in which the leg portion34B of the stopper link 34 is pushed against and stopped by the stoppingsurface 31D1 of the base plate 31 by the urging force of the secondurging spring 37B, and the receiving pin 32A of the receiving link 32 ispushed against and stopped by the receiving surface 34A of the stopperlink 34 by the urging force of the first urging spring 36B.

Also, as shown in FIG. 17, when the W/I lever 1A or the cushion lever 1Bis operated from the state described above and the seatback 2 is tiltedto the forward tilting position, a stopping portion 2FSc formed on theside frame 2FS of the seatback 2 consequently abuts against thereceiving pin 32A, and is received by the stopper link 34 that supportsthe receiving pin 32A. As a result, the forward tilting rotation of theseatback 2 is received and stopped at the forward tilting position. Atthis time, as shown in FIG. 18, a large load is applied to the stopperlink 34 that receives the receiving pin 32A, as a result of receiving aheavy object such as the seatback 2. Specifically, a high load thatattempts to push and bend the stopper link 34 in the axial direction(i.e., the seat width direction) with the second rotating shaft 37A,which is supports the stopper link 34 in a cantilevered manner withrespect to the base plate 31, as the fulcrum is applied to the stopperlink 34. More specifically, the stopper link 34 receives a load in whicha section of the stopper link 34 where the receiving surface 34A abovethe second rotating shaft 37A is formed is pushed and bent so as to beinclined toward the inside of the seat (i.e., the right side in thedrawing), with the second rotating shaft 37A as the fulcrum, and asection of the stopper link 34 where the leg portion 34B below thesecond rotating shaft 37A is formed is pushed and bent so as to beinclined toward the outside of the seat (i.e., the left side in thedrawing) closer to the base plate 31, also with the second rotatingshaft 37A as the fulcrum.

However, as shown in FIG. 15, the stopper link 34 is in a state in whichthe leg portion 34B thereof is placed against, and supported from theseat outside by, the deformation inhibiting surface 31D2 of the stoppingpiece 31D formed on the base plate 31, so the stopper link 34 will notdeform in the seat width direction even if it receives the loaddescribed above. Therefore, the forward tilting rotation of the seatback2 is firmly received at a fixed position by the stopper link 34 that isinhibited from deforming.

Also, after the forward tilting rotation of the seatback 2 is stopped inthe forward tilting position shown in FIG. 18, the release cable 38 ispulled, such that the operating link 33 is drawn in downward, as shownin FIG. 19, by the user then operating the F/D lever 1C (see FIG. 1). Asa result, the stopper link 34 rotates together with the operating link33 in a manner led by the operating link 33, so the receiving surface34A is released from having to support the receiving pin 32A. As aresult, the receiving link 32 is no longer prevented from rotating bythe stopper link 34, so the receiving link 32 is also rotated so as toretract the receiving pin 32A downward by the urging force of the firsturging spring 36B. Thus, the seatback 2 is no longer stopped in theforward tilting position, and thus is able to be folded down to thefolded down position.

In this way, with the structure of the vehicle seat 1 in this exampleembodiment, the structural strength of the stopper link 34 is increasedby the deformation inhibiting surface 31D2 that minimizes bendingdeformation of the stopper link 34 in the seat width direction beingformed on the base plate 31, so the seatback 2 is able to beappropriately received at a fixed position by the stopper link 34 andthe receiving pin 32A of the receiving link 32. The deformationinhibiting surface 31D2 is configured to minimize deformation in whichthe stopper link 34 is pushed and bent in the seat width direction, byabutting in the seat width direction against the leg portion 34B of thestopper link 34. In this way, the structural strength of the stopperlink 34 is able to be effectively increased by a simple structure inwhich the deformation inhibiting surface 31D2 is placed against thestopper link 34 in the seat width direction.

Also, as described in this example embodiment, even if the stopper link34 is a movable structure that is able to be placed in a state that doesnot stop forward tilting rotation of the seatback 2, a structure thatincreases the structural strength of the stopper link 34 is able to beobtained by a simple structure in which the deformation inhibitingsurface 31D2 is provided abutting against the stopper link 34 in theseat width direction. Also, by forming the guide surface 31D2 a on thestopping piece 31D of the base plate 31 that will be the deformationinhibiting member, even if the stopping piece 31D and the stopper link34 are provided close together in the seat width direction (i.e., theaxial direction), rotation of the stopper link 34 is able to beinhibited from being stopped by the stopper link 34 bumping into thestopping piece 31D in the rotational direction when the stopper link 34rotates to the position where it abuts against the stopping surface 31D1of the base plate 31. Therefore, the stopping piece 31D and the stopperlink 34 are brought close together in the seat width direction (i.e.,the axial direction), so the structural strength of the stopper link 34is able to be appropriately increased.

Above, one example embodiment of the invention is described, but theinvention may also be carried out in any one of a variety of modes otherthan the example embodiment described above. For example, the stoppingstructure of the invention may also be applied so as to stop forwardtilting rotation of the seatback in the folded down position, as well asin the forward tilting position described in the above exampleembodiment. Also, the stopping structure of the invention may also be astructure in which the stopping portion is provided on a base such as aseat cushion, and the stopper may be provided on the seatback.

Also, the stopper of the invention may also be a fixed type stopperstructure instead of a retracting type stopper structure. Further, thedeformation inhibiting member that minimizes deformation of the stopperin the seat width direction may also be provided on either the stopperor the base. Also, when the stopper is a fixed type stopper, thedeformation inhibiting member may be provided in a state extendedbetween, and integrally connected to, the stopper and the base. Also,the guide surface may be a curved surface, as well as a straightinclined surface. Also, the deformation inhibiting member that minimizesdeformation in the seat width direction of the stopper and the stoppingsurface that receives the rotation of the stopper may both be formedseparately, or they may be integrally formed as described in the exampleembodiment above. Moreover, the deformation inhibiting member may beprovided so as to stop deformation of any portion of the stopper that ispushed and bent in the seat width direction.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seat comprising: a stopping structurethat stops forward tilting rotation of a seatback between the seatbackand a base on a floor, wherein the stopping structure includes astopping portion provided on one of the seatback or the base, and astopper that is provided in a state supported in a cantilevered manneron the other of the seatback or the base, and that extends to a positionoverlapping with the stopping portion in a seat width direction, thestopping structure being configured to stop the forward tilting rotationof the seatback by abutment of the stopping portion and the stopper; anda deformation inhibiting member that minimizes deformation in the seatwidth direction from the stopper abutting against the stopping portionfollowing forward tilting rotation of the seatback, is provided on theother of the seatback or the base.
 2. The vehicle seat according toclaim 1, wherein the deformation inhibiting member is configured tominimize deformation in the seat width direction from the stopperabutting against the stopping portion, by abutting against the stopperor the base in the seat width direction.
 3. The vehicle seat accordingto claim 2, wherein the stopping portion is formed on the seatback, thestopper is provided pivotally connected to the base and is configured toreceive rotational movement from abutting against the stopping portion,by abutting against a stopping surface formed on the base; and isconfigured to be placed in a state that does not stop the forwardtilting rotation of the seatback, by retracting rotation of the stopper,and the deformation inhibiting member is configured to minimizedeformation in the seat width direction from the stopper abuttingagainst the stopping portion, by abutting against the stopper in theseat width direction.
 4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, whereinan inclined guide surface that inhibits rotation of the stopper frombeing stopped by the stopper bumping into the deformation inhibitingmember in the rotational direction, when the stopper rotates to aposition where the stopper abuts against the stopping surface, is formedon the deformation inhibiting member.